Toni Whyte
Livermore, California

Deb has a great eye and is fun to work with! Coming to Deb as a beginning rider, Deb was able to show me not only correct body position, but *why* and *how* rider's position effects the horse.  But Deb's true gift is her ability to tailor her training to the needs and goals of each student. Deb was able to encourage me as I learned, as well as push me to do better when I needed it. I highly recommend her!

Annette Kraemer-Batosic, 
Cupertino, California

I'd been taking riding lessons in Germany for some time. In 2001 I relocated from Germany to California. First thing to do was to find a new riding teacher, since I always tried to improve my dressage and jumping skills. I always have been very competent with staying on a horse but Deb fixed my seat, my arms, my legs, my back, and best of all, my and the horse’s focus.

With Deb’s support and guidance, I was able to change old habits that inhibited my ability to ride a difficult horse. I mean difficult in the sense of a hyper-nervous thoroughbred.  Her philosophy and teaching techniques are straight forward, consistent and from the heart for both horse and rider. I was very lucky that I found her because her style reminded me of the lessons that I had back in Germany

I've been taking lessons from her ever since I relocated to California, and she has done wonders for my riding. She has given me that "deep seat" everyone wants, and taught me how to ride my sensitive horse with my hips only – no legs. As a result of my work with Deb, I'm now able to ride any horse and put legs, seat, weight and body where I want them. Instead of making life hard for my horses, I can now help them. The horse I rode was happier and finally we were working as a harmonious team. 

I've also watched Deb help many other riders improve. I've watched her teach all levels of rider, from beginner to FEI level, and each one has improved, as have their horses. She has a wonderful eye for the rider's seat and position and is amazing at communicating what she sees so that the rider can improve. It worked, even for a German with limited language skills in the beginning! 

Moreover, my jumping skills improved and I learned to jump more secure, safe and confident, and eventually-  I lost the fear of the “box of terror” (a special set up of jumps and drills) and I wasn’t going for “Latte’s” anymore (getting lost in the jump course).  

Bottom line, it is really Deb’s unique skill and talent and her humor at helping the rider (and the horse!) to understand, feel and correct their position which makes the goal of riding well attainable, and learning a joy. She has a quiet, effective, and very encouraging way of helping you feel what you are doing (or not doing), and then helping you to not only correct it, but to understand and maintain a correct position. 

It is very rare to find someone in the United States who is classically trained like I was used to in Europe and who is so talented at teaching. Too bad for me that she moved away to Oregon!  

I recommend her to anyone who is serious about improving their riding skills, or is looking for someone to working with their sensitive horses. Don’t worry; she’s also skilled at working with sensitive riders!

Jennifer Perry
Newark, California

I can only try to put into words what a spectacular instructor Deb has been to me.  I began riding just under a year ago, and thanks to Deb I have improved tremendously.  Although I enjoyed myself when I began riding, I immediately felt the need for some direction and guidance.  Deb is always at the ranch, many times giving lessons.  So I observed her lessons, really liked her style, and began taking lessons from her right away. 

Deb packs so much information into each session that I always leave feeling that I got much more than my money’s worth.  And although she uses the clock for a guide, she never hesitates to go a bit longer on a lesson if she feels it necessary.  I’ve noticed that she seems to tailor her instruction style to each student.  I am a visual learner, so she always has an antidote or idea to give me a visual concept of each task she teaches me.  Another reason I decided to take lessons from her is that she is active in all her lessons.  She constantly moves about with the student, guiding them through whatever skill they are trying to master.  I like to ask a lot of questions, so this makes it easy for me to do so. 

I tend to get nervous when I know someone is watching and judging me.  Deb never makes me feel this way.  I was at ease from the first lesson I took with her.  She critiques in a way that feels positive, as if you and she are a team.  She is excellent at praising her students every time they make even the smallest improvement.

Deb is also the biggest safety advocate I know.  It all began with the helmet.  I came up with several excuses as to why a helmet wouldn’t work for me.  Within a couple of weeks of her reminding me of the importance of helmets (some ways more creative than others), I bought one and now use it every single time I ride.

Even when she isn’t giving lessons, Deb makes herself available to answer my questions, whether they are about barn etiquette, safety, or riding techniques.

I am often complimented by other boarders on how much my riding has improved over the last year, and I always give credit to Deb.  Deb has become such an asset to my riding success that I feel a deep sense of loss now that she will be moving away soon.  She has brought me so far in this journey, and I am so grateful for all she has done for me.